CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- The Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) announced the 2025 All-CIAA preseason softball team, as voted on by the CIAA Softball Coaches Association and Sports Information Directors Association. The back-to-back defending CIAA champion Bowie State was picked to finish first overall followed by Virginia State (2), Claflin (3), Lincoln (PA) (4), and Winston-Salem State (5) to round out the top 5 rankings.
Seven of the 11 players on the 2025 preseason team were on the 2024 All-CIAA team, including seven First-Team honorees. Virginia State led the Preseason Team with four selections, followed by BSU and WSSU with two, respectively. The 2023 CIAA Player of the Year and All-CIAA Lindsey George (pitcher), and two-time All-CIAA outfielder Jayla Hill represented Bowie State on this year's Preseason Team.
A complete list of the CIAA Softball Preseason Team and Predicted Order of Finish, can be found below:
2025 CIAA Softball Predicted Order of Finish:
- Bowie State University
- Virginia State University
- Claflin University
- Lincoln University (PA)
- Winston-Salem State University
- Fayetteville State University
- Bluefield State University
- Elizabeth City State University
- Virginia Union University
- Shaw University
- Livingstone College
- Johnson C. Smith University
2025 All-CIAA Softball Preseason Team:
Pitcher - Lindsey George (Bowie State University)
Catcher - Jenna Nicolski (Virginia Union University)
First Base - Mylia Knight (Virginia State University)
Second Base - Jaya Diggs-Hagwood (Virginia State University)
Third Base - Miranda Wilson (Winston-Salem State University)
Shortstop - Alaijah Pratt (Virginia State University)
Outfield - Jayla Hill (Bowie State University)
Outfield - Aliya Rose (Lincoln University (PA)
Outfield - Hailey Darrington (Virginia State University)
Utility Player - Malia Simmons (Winston-Salem State University)
Designated Player - Treja Patterson (Fayetteville State University)
The 2025 CIAA Softball championship will take place April 30 - May 3 in Orangeburg, S.C.
Bowie State softball will open the 2025 slate with the HBCU Softball Challenge featuring teams from the CIAA and the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) next weekend beginning Friday, Feb. 14 through Sunday, Feb. 16. The three-day challenge will be held at Tyger River Park located at 179 Dillard Road, Duncan, S.C.
For the most up-to-date information on Bowie State Athletics and its 13 varsity sports teams, visit bsubulldogs.com.
